Removing radiator - free turning fan-cowl bolt

[Al_Stag]

Hi guys,

Wondering if I could have the advice of the Stag collective? I was trying to remove the radiator at the weekend and cannot remove the fan cowl - I was able to remove the nearside nut from the bolt easily, but the offside bolt ended up just spinning. I managed to get a pair of mole grips on the bottom of the bolt to get the nut moving, but I cannot get the nut off the bottom of the studding.

The bolt just spins, both ways, almost like it was spot welded to stop it turning but the weld has now broken...

Apart from sawing the bolt above the nut what option is there? What is the problem if I do saw the bolt - will it damage the rad? Can I easily replace the bolt? How is the bolt attached to the rad?

Cheers,

A.

[stag-phil]

I assume you are referring to the fixing at the base of the radiator.

If so, the bolts you refer to are studs which from memory are welded to the radiator casing.

I would use a nut splitter to remove the nut rather than cutting the stud and when the radiator is out of the car you will have a better idea of what the problem is and how to fix it.

Best of luck.

Phil

[stag157.7]

Hi guys,

Wondering if I could have the advice of the Stag collective? I was trying to remove the radiator at the weekend and cannot remove the fan cowl - I was able to remove the nearside nut from the bolt easily, but the offside bolt ended up just spinning. I managed to get a pair of mole grips on the bottom of the bolt to get the nut moving, but I cannot get the nut off the bottom of the studding.

The bolt just spins, both ways, almost like it was spot welded to stop it turning but the weld has now broken...

Apart from sawing the bolt above the nut what option is there? What is the problem if I do saw the bolt - will it damage the rad? Can I easily replace the bolt? How is the bolt attached to the rad?

Cheers,

A.

I believe the bottom retains nuts are spot welded to the chassis of the rad

as you have used mole grips on the thread it will not come past the damage
use a nut splitter!
then you can replace with a new bolt and nut


alan

[stag157.7]

I believe the bottom retains nuts are spot welded to the chassis of the rad

as you have used mole grips on the thread it will not come past the damage
use a nut splitter!
then you can replace with a new bolt and nut


alan

too late another smart a***e beat me to it

alan

[Al_Stag]

I believe the bottom retains nuts are spot welded to the chassis of the rad

as you have used mole grips on the thread it will not come past the damage
use a nut splitter!
then you can replace with a new bolt and nut


alan

Thanks Alan,

I managed to protect the thread somewhat by covering with a cloth to protect (similar to pulling pistons out of calipers) - thread is still OK as another nut screws on OK...

Thanks very much for all the responses though guys - I'll look to organise getting a nut splitter for this weekend.

Thanks very much for once again helping out.

Al.

[stag-phil]

Quote : too late another smart a***e beat me to it

alan

Great minds think alike!

Phil

[stag157.7]

Quote : too late another smart a***e beat me to it

alan

Great minds think alike!

Phil

yeah but fools seldom differ


alan

[Firept]

Al.
Had the same problem. Found by using a small cutter disc in the Dremel that you can cut a slot in the stud then by using a screwdriver to fit the slot you can wind off the nut once out and the rad is out I just cleaned the thread up and brazed the stud back in place.

Paul.

[73stagman]

My radiator has both bolts at the bottom free spinning as the weds have broken on them both. The cross member was so rotten it didnt matter I just pulled the radiator off it. The radiator needs a recore and when thats done I will make a new st/st bottom plate and tig weld some stainless bolts in to it

[Al_Stag]

Ahhh I like it Paul - nicely thought!